Meet T & T

In this episode you will learn more about who Tyra and Tabitha are! We’ll be discussing interesting facts about us and what makes our podcast work! 

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:00

Hey book lovers, it's TNT Bookhaven, where Tyra is chaotic and free-spirited. Tabitha is organized in type A, and our TBRs are out of control.

SPEAKER_00 0:13

So now that we've switched up our overall format of the podcast, and we are now doing our book club with one book a month, and then having a few extra fun episodes thrown in there for the rest of the month, we thought it was time to do a get to know us episode. We've recorded and put out um quite a few episodes up until now, and we've never done anything aside from our little intros with our personality traits to really have a deep dive into us. So we thought we would have a fun episode of just us.

SPEAKER_04 0:53

So the real version of how we became friends.

SPEAKER_00 1:00

Yes. So long story short, we work at a credit union, and I am and was a branch manager, and I actually hired Tyra. Best decision she ever made. Ever. Um, so she worked for me for I don't know, what is it, like six months? Yeah. Um, and then transitioned into a different department at the same company that we work at, but was still just a normal staff person. So with me being in management, there was never really an opportunity for that kind of relationship. Obviously, we always try to keep things professional and all that. So we were always friendly. Like Tyra is obviously very funny and fun to be around. And when I hired her, I was like, I know I got a good one with this one. Um, and I was really sad when she had to transition over to a different department because I knew I wasn't gonna be able to work with her. Um, but the way that we became fast friends is very fast, Tyra actually actually became a manager as well. So then we were in the same role and is like, oh, now we can actually like talk.

SPEAKER_04 2:15

Uh-huh. And we talked and talked and talked and talked all the time.

SPEAKER_00 2:20

And we we realized how similar we are, how many um things that we have in common. Honestly, just we've talked about it before, but it's so hard to find good friendships later on in life. I've sadly I've always struggled with that.

SPEAKER_04 2:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:36

Yeah. Even through school into high school and after graduating and all that, it's just it's very hard to find genuine girls, which is sad to say. Like, I feel like a lot of girl friendships are not great. Yeah. Um, and so just finding our friendship was something that I was not expecting. Obviously, how it started, um, with us being at work. And it's like, we can't actually like be quote unquote friends. We can be friendly. Um, but yeah, then it it shifted and now we're besties.

SPEAKER_04 3:12

Oh, yeah. Yeah. It literally happened extremely fast after I became a manager, but also because like you were helping kind of show me how to be a manager too. So we were spending a lot of time with each other with that. Um and yeah, it just flourished from there.

SPEAKER_00 3:34

And the the rest is history. So I'll ask you, what was your first impression of me? And what do you think now?

SPEAKER_04 3:43

Um, I would say my first impression was because I was your employee. I was like, oh my gosh, Tabitha is so cool, and she likes the things that I like, and I wish we could be friends. I feel like we would be good friends.

SPEAKER_01 4:00

So, what you're saying is you created this, you you made this friendship happen.

SPEAKER_04 4:06

Yeah, yeah. It was, you know, I I spoke it into existence.

SPEAKER_01 4:11

There you go.

SPEAKER_04 4:12

No, but even like like I mean, there were times when I wasn't in your department anymore, but you came and shadowed me for the day.

SPEAKER_01 4:20

It's like, well, we we really do get along very well.

SPEAKER_04 4:24

Oh yeah, yeah. And what I think now is, oh yeah, that you're an amazing friend. You're literally, you're my snipper.

SPEAKER_00 4:36

Yes, if you listen to any of our past episodes, you'll know what that means. But um, just a little insight if you don't, and this is the first one that you're listening to of us to get to know us. Um, I was telling my mom about how Tyra and her husband are such great people and they're such great friends to me and my husband. And it's just so nice to be have friends who are so just comfortable to be around and it's just easy. And my mom said, Oh, they're your slippers. Like you're you wear your slippers around the house and it's nice and comfy. And so now that that's our our thing is we're each other's slippers. So that is that is the truth. Yeah, I feel like um the first impression, I think I kind of mentioned I knew that you were fun and funny, and just like a very genuine positive person. Um, and that was kind of where it ended of like I I never wanted to get too invested. That sounds bad to say, but it's like I've always known that as a manager you can't have those types of relationships. So it's like, oh, I kind of just get to enjoy it on like a coworker level, and that's that's pretty much it.

SPEAKER_04 5:47

Um, and obviously now the rest is history, so now you're never getting rid of me.

SPEAKER_00 5:54

Exactly.

SPEAKER_04 5:57

So when was the moment that you were like, oh, we're actually going to be close friends?

SPEAKER_00 6:04

I actually cannot remember the moment when it like I feel like it just so naturally progressed into like it just I think it was meant to be. Like I feel like there was it was so easy to where when we both were managers and were spending so much more time together, it was like and we were talking all the time, and we were just like yes, not even like started talking about not just about work, and then we started planning to hang out and stuff.

SPEAKER_04 6:32

It was just like, oh yeah. I was like, you're my best friend, so I better be yours.

SPEAKER_01 6:38

Right. It's like you're not, it's like the what's that girl on the wedding crashers where she's like the stage five clingers like I'll find you? It's like you're never getting away from me. Oh my gosh. Oh man, it's oh wow, that's so funny.

SPEAKER_00 7:03

Too funny. Um, so what are three words that you'd use to describe me?

SPEAKER_03 7:12

Uh loyal.

SPEAKER_04 7:17

Um amazing, because I feel like amazing goes with so many things like you're an amazing mom, you're an amazing friend, you're an amazing wife, um, you're an amazing daughter.

SPEAKER_03 7:32

Um and the third one. Honestly, probably type A. Crazy.

SPEAKER_01 7:52

That that makes sense. I'm a loyal, crazy person. That is very accurate.

SPEAKER_00 8:04

Um, well, on the flip side of that, I would say so. Three words, if I had to pick three words for you, I'm gonna say it's funny because I would also say loyal for you. I we just for people listening, we just recently did something where we picked pictures that like uh described each other. And I thought that we were supposed to put an animal on there. So I was like, what animal reminds me of Tyra? And I immediately thought of a lab because labs are obviously like super cute, and that like even like the whatever the blonde white labs, whatever, they seem like so jolly and happy, and but they're so loyal and so smart. And I'm like, that is Tyra Tuaity is like loyal, but also I'll rip your throat out if you come at the people that I love.

SPEAKER_02 8:58

Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:59

Um so that for sure. Um funny 100%. You are hilarious, and I would say I don't want to say oh gosh. I'm gonna say it's hard to wrap it up in just three words, right? So loyal, funny, and I'm gonna say for the third word.

SPEAKER_03 9:32

Oh gosh, I feel like there's so many words flying around in my head.

SPEAKER_00 9:39

I am gonna say I wanna say like motivated or dedicated, like something like that, where it's like you put so much energy into everything that you do, like whether it's you being a mom, you being a wife, you being at work, you like you have a great drive. So I don't know how to put that into one word, but that's gonna be my third thing.

SPEAKER_04 10:04

You're so sweet. Oh my gosh. Well, type A does not mean you're crazy, but it means that it works out. No, it means it works out because um, without you being type A, the podcast wouldn't be where it is today.

SPEAKER_00 10:26

I do like a good list. That is very true.

SPEAKER_04 10:31

So what is something I do that makes you think this is why we're different people?

SPEAKER_01 10:43

I think we've definitely touched on even our intro is like Tyra's the chaotic free spirit. Um, and I am you're like the fun type of crazy, I'm like the crazy type of crazy.

SPEAKER_00 11:00

Um, but uh I like something specific that you do. Oh I don't know, is there anything that I do that makes you think that like this is why we're different people?

SPEAKER_04 11:15

I feel like it's so funny because I feel like we're different in certain ways. But like just to kind of touch up on like the uh like literally chaotic and free free-spirited, and then the organized and type A. Tap and that you are absolutely a white SUV mom. And I'm a black SUV mom.

SPEAKER_01 11:42

For people who don't know what that means, if you've seen any type of stuff on social media, it's like that's the the stereotypical friendship is one person is the white SUV mom and one person is the black SUV mom. And it's pretty much like the white SUV mom is like you get in their car and it's like a tablet's car, and it is very nice, it's very clean, it is organized, it smells good.

SPEAKER_03 12:19

And my car.

SPEAKER_04 12:21

I have a collection of interviews, little man's car seat of crumbs.

SPEAKER_03 12:32

My car is a disaster. And it probably smells like like just a bunch of food.

SPEAKER_04 12:42

It smells like snacks.

SPEAKER_01 12:49

Exactly. And I think the part that makes that so much more funny is I actually have a I actually have a white SUV.

SPEAKER_03 13:00

I have a black SUV.

SPEAKER_04 13:06

It's so fitting. Oh my god. It really is. It's hilarious.

SPEAKER_00 13:10

I could not agree more. I it is very much our personalities. I feel like that is so fitting. Um, but so on a little bit of a who is more likely to rapid fire, um, who is more likely to spiral over thinking something small? Both of us. Both of us. Well, absolutely. Who who is more likely to change plans last minute?

SPEAKER_04 13:36

I feel like we're both good about sticking with our plans.

SPEAKER_00 13:39

Yeah, I agree. I feel like even though I am type A, I don't know that you are per a person who's like, just kidding, I had something else come up. You're very much uh, I've made the plan, I'm gonna, I'm gonna stick to it. Yeah. Um, so who's more likely to start a new hobby and quit it a week later?

SPEAKER_04 14:00

Well, I mean, we started our podcast and we're still here.

SPEAKER_01 14:04

I kind I feel like I have to blame this on me because I'm always like, oh, I'm gonna do this and this.

SPEAKER_00 14:10

I'm gonna take I'm I literally have crocheting stuff that I got for myself that I tried once.

SPEAKER_01 14:19

You know what's funny?

SPEAKER_04 14:20

I have stuff like that.

SPEAKER_01 14:24

Like, I'm gonna be like so well-rounded and do all these things, and I'm like, oh no, it just sits in my office.

SPEAKER_00 14:34

So it is both of us. Yeah. Um, yeah, we're again, we said we're very similar and also different in certain ways. So that was some of our similarities. But with this podcast, obviously, we talk about books, we talk about our mom life stuff, we talk about faith, um, all that stuff. So just a little bit more of the get to know us stuff. So we're gonna go into a little bit of the bookish side of our personality because that's one hobby we'll never give up. That's right. So, what kind of reader are you really, Tyra?

SPEAKER_04 15:10

I I'm a Kindle girly all the way. I carry my Kindle with me everywhere. I um I feel like when I'm reading a certain book, I have to stick with that book for until I finish it. Um so I will stick with one book, but I am always the type of person who's trying to fit in reading everywhere I can. So, like during my lunches, I'm like, okay, I'm reading. Even if I'm walking on my lunches, I'm like carrying my Kindle with me.

SPEAKER_00 15:45

Yep. Yeah, I think I am a little bit more of a chaotic reader. And I don't know if it has to do with my type A personality, where I'm like, I need to do all the things, but I'm like, I'll have one book going on audiobook, I'll have another book that I'm reading physically, and I may have a third one where I'm like, but this is like a different genre or a different, this is like a self-help book. So I'm gonna tie that one in two. So I may have three books going out one time, um, which is just honestly, I think it's a little bit of a sickness. So I yeah, that's that's me. Um so what is a book that has changed you a little bit?

SPEAKER_03 16:34

A book that's changed me a little bit.

SPEAKER_04 16:37

Gosh, that's really difficult because I like I have books that I feel like has made me kind of process who I am a bit and like made me kind of think things about myself and try to fix things that I want to fix or but I also have those books that like like literally just like made me just love reading so much. So like if we were talking about a book that has made me kind of think about myself and reflect on myself and everything, I would say um Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. But if we're talking about a book that literally just is like this is the definition of why I read Fourth Wing.

unknown 17:25

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 17:25

Yep, I think those are two great ones. I couldn't agree with either of those more because I do. I feel like the more inspirational ones for sure. I'm actually re-listening to the Ruthless Elimination Parade right now because I just I feel like it's so beneficial even the second time through. Oh yeah. Um, but I will say, in addition to that, the Kiss the Fire by Sean Johnson, that one just really stuck with me. Um, I think that one, that one changed, changed my heart a little bit um after reading it. As far as like a normal book, I know we just covered the last letter, and I do think that one will stick with me forever.

SPEAKER_04 18:03

I don't know that that really like changed me, but I kind of makes you treasure more, treasure moments more.

SPEAKER_00 18:11

Yeah, and I think it's because it's just like fresh in my mind that one's coming to me. Um, so I would say that.

SPEAKER_04 18:18

What does your ideal reading night look like?

SPEAKER_00 18:23

Oh gosh, to like not fall asleep it the second I get into bed. Um, yeah, so I would say having enough energy to actually read and enjoy reading and not feeling like I'm having to like hold my freaking eyelids open, um, where my daughter doesn't wake up and make me have to close my book and attend to her and try to get her to go back to sleep. Um, so yeah, just peaceful. I'll say that. I what about you?

SPEAKER_04 18:55

Definitely as soon as little man goes to bed, I've like taken my shower, I've wined down, I put him in bed, and then I'm in bed. And I grab my Kindle. Or if I do have a physical book, if I am reading a physical book, I'll grab that because the light will be on for a little while. Um, so I'll start reading. And I will say I'm that type of person who, if I have a physical book, it's more than likely on my Kindle also.

SPEAKER_00 19:22

You're like a tandem reading.

SPEAKER_01 19:24

You're like, okay, I can read this and now I can pick it back up on my Kindle.

SPEAKER_04 19:27

Yeah, exactly. I'm like, okay, our lights are turning off. Let me go ahead and grab my Kindle now. But luckily, most of the books that I've been reading have been on Kindle Unlimited. So it's been a little bit not so pricey. Yep. Um, but yeah, I definitely, yeah, as soon as Little Man's in bed and I'm like done settling for bed, I'm in bed reading.

SPEAKER_00 19:59

That sounds pretty pretty good to me. Um, let's see here. So which fictional character would you say that you're most like and who do you wish you were more like?

SPEAKER_03 20:18

A physical character. A fictional character. I would say I'm kind of like rhetic.

SPEAKER_04 20:34

Like I'm funny when I like I'm funny, but like when I need to not be, I'm like I'm that loyal, like I'm like listen, I may be funny and I laugh all the time, but like no, like I'm loyal and I'm serious.

SPEAKER_03 20:47

Like No, I think that's a good a good comparison. Who do I wish I was? Who do I wish I was? Gosh, there's so many people violent with just like how strong and how like she's perceived as weak, but she's still very strong.

SPEAKER_04 21:26

Yes, like the perception is so inaccurate. Of course I go to the Empyrean series because I'm obsessed.

SPEAKER_00 21:36

Right, and no, and I as I was even asking that question, I'm like, I don't even know what my answer is. I can't think of any fictional character that I am like. Um Rihanna. Let's go with that. That she's I feel like she is more serious and she's definitely the leader, the

SPEAKER_04 22:00

Like um the leader, very loyal, very um organized, like like has great ideas, and that's why she's a leader.

SPEAKER_03 22:17

I definitely think Rihanna.

SPEAKER_00 22:21

I agree, and I apologize that my recording kind of cut out there for a second, um, but I think I got everything that you said. It was just kind of like but I think I got what you were saying, that she's kind of more organized and um, but she is also funny and she's just so loyal, and she's just well, thank you. I'll take that one. I'll take that. Um I would say I have to agree with you though, on like if I could pick to be like any character, I feel like Violet is so she has a lot of fear, but she's fearless in the fact of she's just gonna do it. And I'm like, that is so not me. I'm not like I'm not that type of person. Um, so I have to agree, I would I would like to be her. I want to be Violet.

SPEAKER_04 23:11

Well, moving away from like our book personalities, let's talk about mom life. Yes, the biggest part of our life. What is a moment in mom life where you thought no one prepared me for this?

SPEAKER_00 23:29

I will be very honest. I feel like everyone talks about all of the hard stuff, like the you're gonna never sleep again, and you're gonna like all of almost like the negative things of like, oh gosh, you don't know what you're getting yourself in for type of thing. And I will say, and I'm sure that I heard this beforehand, but I I think you don't know until you're actually in it, but the whole like no one prepared me for this thing is literally how big my love is for my daughter. Oh yeah. Like the the love that I feel for her. I'm like, it almost feels crippling at times where it's like I just love her so much. Like I just I don't know how I could love her any more than I do, and then or how we even had a life without that. Yes, yes, it's just I think that's the biggest thing is I I think I was very much prepared for this is gonna be hard, but I didn't fully prepare myself for like this is gonna be amazing.

SPEAKER_04 24:39

Oh yeah, yeah. I I would say I don't think I was prepared for the moment that like when I'm not with Koa, I am missing him so much. Like even going to bed, I'm like, okay, little man, it's time for bed. It's time to go. And then um we get to that moment, and then I'm in bed, and I'm like, I miss him. I miss him. Yeah. Yep. My husband and I say that to each other all the time. We're like, I miss him, I miss him.

SPEAKER_00 25:20

Yep, it's I think I saw saying something about like having a a kid is like watching your heart walk around outside of your body, and it's like oh yes. It's so true. It's like I you just love them so much. Ever. Yep. So what's what's something you swore you'd never do as a mom that you do now? Let little man sleep in our bed.

SPEAKER_04 25:47

I mean, he is honestly, he's very good about sleeping in his own bed. Um, he does sleep nights through like through the night in his own bed and everything. But then there's some moments where he's slept in our bed and it's like, okay, that's perfectly fine. Like even, you know, even if on the weekend we're sleeping in and he'll come in extremely early and get in bed with us and fall back to sleep. And so, yeah, I I swore I would never let him in my bed, and now it's like I don't even care. Come snuggle with me. Yes. And he likes to play with my hair, so he's better.

SPEAKER_00 26:27

Yep. What about you? I will say I had very um unrealistic expectations of myself, shocker, um, going into being a mom, and I was like, I'm gonna puree all her food, and I'm gonna make all this stuff. And seriously, and I did okay at the very beginning where I was like, I'm making all of her stuff and pureeing everything, and I have my own little uh baby food jars, and I'm making applesauce and all this stuff, and then it just gets to be too much, and I'm like, it's so time consuming. Now I I just had the thought of like, I'm not gonna give her any crap. Like, I ate so bad, and I still eat bad, and I'm not gonna give her any. And I'm like, now she eats pizza with us, she snacks, she loves chips, she loves French fries. I'm like, it just you get to the point where you're like, you just have to survive, and thankfully she's eating something.

SPEAKER_04 27:26

So yeah, it's better than eating nothing because they are so tricky.

SPEAKER_00 27:32

Yep, it is, it was very unrealistic. I was like, oh yeah, I'm gonna be the mom who homemakes everything, and that did that went out the window very quickly.

SPEAKER_04 27:44

Oh my gosh. So obviously both of our kids are in the toddler stage. So, what is the most chaotic day you've had recently?

SPEAKER_00 27:59

Oh gosh. I would say recently, um, well so obviously we work. Um, and that always seems like a more chaotic day when it's like you get up a little bit later, you're kind of feeling stressed out, you go through work, you get home, and now you have all the things that you have to do at home. You need to start dinner, you need to get stuff ready for the next day, you need to get the bedtime routine going, and like you feel like you're a little bit of a step behind on everything. And there was one night recently where the day wasn't overly chaotic, like in general with work and everything. But when I got home, um, she was very clingy and wanting to only be with me. She didn't want her dad, and I'm like, I'm trying to cook dinner, I can't hold you and cook at the same time. Um, and she's whining and crying every single time I try to put her down, and it was like so overstimulating for me. I'm like, Oh yeah, I am getting so frustrated, and um I hate feeling like that way, especially towards her. But I did have the moment of like, I need a second because I feel like I'm gonna freak out. Yeah. So yeah, that was at least that's the most recent thing that's sticking out in my head when she was just a little, a little much. Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_04 29:20

Yeah. Um, I would say like recently, a little man woke up in the morning, and of course, since we work two our mornings, are like, okay, we get ready and we get breakfast and we go. Um, and he was not having it. He did not want to get ready, and he um being a toddler is in this thing now where he just throws himself on the floor and he's just like, I don't like that, I don't like that. And you're like, no, we gotta go, dude. Like you're you're being crazy. And it just makes you like so stressed out, and you're just like, how do I even how do I get them to listen to me? How like nothing I say is getting their attention. Nothing I say is getting them to listen.

SPEAKER_00 30:09

You can't reason with them. It's like that is unacceptable behavior. They're like, what?

SPEAKER_04 30:14

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_00 30:18

But yeah, um I think we were both about to say that scene. Um so what would you say is a small mom win that felt like a big win?

SPEAKER_04 30:33

It's so funny, and it happened a while ago. But one thing that felt like a big one, um, we gave little man his dinner, and it was the first time he said thank you. And I remember looking at my husband, and we both started tearing up, and we're like, oh my gosh, we are doing good as parents. Like, we're like seriously, they're so respectful.

SPEAKER_00 31:01

Yes, it's funny because I was gonna say the same exact thing, and it's not it's not the same situation, but I was getting her ready in the morning and I had sneezed, and she said, Bless you, and I was like, My heart.

SPEAKER_01 31:15

I'm like, oh, she's such a kind little baby.

SPEAKER_00 31:19

It literally just like those small moments where you're like, okay, I'm doing something right. Yep, because I do. I feel like they learn by example, and it's like, okay, I'm I'm being a good example for her, and she's she's learning from what me and her dad are doing, and same thing with you and your husband is like the they're learning how to be good humans by watching good humans.

SPEAKER_04 31:42

Oh yeah, absolutely. And I do gotta say, one thing about being a mom is that you are being a parent in general, is that a lot of people start to feel like they need to give you their opinion and that they need to tell you that, like, oh, you're not doing this, like, and try to parent shame you, don't listen to it. Like, we are all doing the best that we can, and you know, it's those small moments that are big when and you know what? If you're the type of mom like us that you are work a working mom and your kid does to go go to daycare, you're still freaking killing it. So don't ever let anybody tell you that because you're a working mom, that you're not teaching your kid things and you're not raising them and you're not showing them how to do this and how to do that, because that is so inaccurate.

SPEAKER_00 32:34

Yep. That it is, it's a it's a very hurtful thing. And if you've been in that situation where you've heard any of that feedback, um, just know that whoever said that is wrong. Yes, besides. Yep. It takes a a strong person to be a mom in any fashion, whether that's you staying at home and being a stay-at-home mom, going to work, doing a half and half thing, whatever that looks like for you. Um you're killing it. You're killing it.

SPEAKER_04 33:04

Yes. You're freaking killing it. You're doing amazing, and don't let anybody ever make you feel differently.

SPEAKER_00 33:10

Exactly. Yep.

SPEAKER_04 33:13

And treasure those small moments that feel so big because they are big. Even though they're small, they're big.

SPEAKER_00 33:20

Yep, and they mean so much.

SPEAKER_04 33:22

So what is now that I got off my tangent, what's something about motherhood that surprised you in a good way?

SPEAKER_00 33:35

I will say I think it's funny because my mom and my sister always give me a hard time that I am not a snuggler. I'm not a touchy-feely type of person. Um, and I was a little worried about it. I know, I make you hug me all the time. And it's not like in my nature. I'm not a, I'm just not a very, this sounds bad, I'm not a very affectionate person. Um, but I I'm not. And my any because we live in separate states. So anytime we see each other, it's always like a big celebration. And there was this running joke of like, when you get here or when I get there, we're gonna snuggle. And I'm like, no, we are not, because that ain't gonna happen. And I feel it going into being a mom. I was like, I hope that I am like affectionate towards her, and I the way that I feel about her, like the how you were talking about with sleeping in the bed and stuff like that, snuggling with her and hugging her and kissing her, I feel like I am a totally different person. Um, so I would say that's what has surprised me in the best way is like I do think maternal things are just naturally in you as a woman. Um, even if you don't feel that, I think once you become a mom, it's like it just happens where it changes your heart so much. Um, to where I do feel like I'm a little bit different now, where I'm like, I just want her as close to me as possible all the time. I just want to like squeeze her and hold her. Um so yeah, what about you?

SPEAKER_04 35:09

I feel like um being a mother has changed me in a positive way. Like I look at myself differently. I look at co our little man and just like I'm just like like he truly is like such a blessing and has truly made me a better person. And it's just like like I would do anything for him, and he is just the light of my life.

SPEAKER_01 35:43

Yes. Yep, they change you in just the best way, yes, absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 35:50

So last thing on the mom life section, what is something that you do as a mom that would sound just completely unhinged out of context?

SPEAKER_04 36:04

I will get little man's finger, and I'm like, let me see your finger, let me help you pick your nose. Because he always has bookers. So I help him pick his nose, and then afterwards I'm like, oh look, it's on your finger! Uh and I like start pushing his finger towards his face, and I'm like, eat it, eat it! You are traumatizing him, it's kind of the fear of bookers, and he it's just so funny because he is just laughing the entire time and he's like, ew! And he's like pulling his head away, he's like, No, I'm not gonna eat it.

SPEAKER_00 36:51

Well, I'm glad that he's that way because our daughter is the exact opposite. We have to catch her and be like, stop picking your nose, and don't you dare put that in your mouth, you little nasty! Like that we don't want our kid to be the nose picker.

SPEAKER_01 37:08

Oh my gosh. Yeah. Freaking buggers, man. Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_04 37:16

Anybody who sees me do that is probably like, what the hell are you doing?

SPEAKER_01 37:22

You know what? It's the little things that keep our kids entertained that we have to just hold on to. So, you know what?

SPEAKER_00 37:28

There's no judgment here. This is a judgment-free zone, people.

SPEAKER_04 37:33

It is so funny.

SPEAKER_00 37:36

Yes. So now, switching gears into our next little question segment. So, again, we talk about a couple different things here on the podcast, and one of the biggest parts of our life and our journey is our faith. Um, so what do you what would you say your faith actually looks like in your day-to-day life right now?

SPEAKER_04 37:59

So, currently, right now, um, I know that you and I have set this goal together to read our Bible. Um, because I have never fully read it. So uh currently I am praying for understanding um and praying to see the truth in his word. And so then after that, I do dive into the Bible and start reading, and I have been highlighting and writing notes for myself to try to really just bring my full attention to it. Um but I think just, you know, at certain moments throughout the day, uh, I tried to pause and just pray. That's awesome. What does it look like for you currently?

SPEAKER_00 38:54

Yeah, same. Since we started this little bit of a challenge for ourselves, I think just trying to make those things more of a habit, like something that I don't even have to think about. I just do it because it's part of my normal routine. Um, so yeah, the daily prayers, daily Bible reading, um, and just trying to make that a focus of like when things are great, go to God and thank him. When things are hard, go to God and ask for help through that. When things are just normal day-to-day, have those conversations with him. And I think that's the the goal is just to make it more of a part of my day-to-day life.

SPEAKER_04 39:38

Yeah, absolutely. So obviously, you know, with your faith, you're tested a lot. Um, so what is a time in your faith that you felt like you were really tested?

SPEAKER_00 39:54

I was so I grew up in the church. I was um raised going to church numerous times a week, and that was just part of my life. Um, and then I got into my teen years and like my later teens, and I ended up getting into a pretty terrible relationship that was uh very abusive. Um, and going through that, I kind of had the thought of like, and this is terrible to say, but like, if there is a God, why would he let this happen to me? Um man, I didn't think I was gonna get emotional on this one because this was so fun. Um but yeah, going through that and having it like a moment of why do bad things happen? Like if there is a God that's so good, why? Um and so honestly, after that, I I had a very long time of not being super invested in church and not being dedicated to much of anything in my faith journey. Um, and so being able to get back into that has been life-changing. Um, so yeah, that was just a moment of I I hate to say weakness, but it it was where it was like I made a really bad choice of who to get into a relationship with and um it it took me down a bad road.

SPEAKER_04 41:19

So yeah.

SPEAKER_00 41:20

I feel like Yeah, what about you?

SPEAKER_04 41:22

It definitely, you know, it's those hard moments that test your face, your faith the most. Um, and so absolutely for me, it would be um when my husband and I had a stillborn and going through that experience and just like the whole process in general just was very emotional and very difficult and the same thing like you just questioning like why why would God let this happen to me? Why would God do this? Why um why would God take him away from me?

SPEAKER_00 42:01

Yep. Yeah, it's a it's really hard to go through those moments where it's like you feel like it can't get any worse than this. Like what why? Why is this happening? And although in the moment it seems really rough and unnecessary and it doesn't make any sense, I think it's comforting to know that I do firmly believe that people are put through things to then be able to share their story and help someone else who is struggling to bring them closer to God, to be able to share their testimony and show that God brought me through this and he's gonna bring you through whatever you're going through. Um so although we've been through some hard times, um, the both of us, I think that it just shows that with God's strength, we're able to to get back up and and be better and stronger than ever. So yeah, that was a that was a deep one.

SPEAKER_04 43:06

But um what is something that you're currently praying about and working through?

SPEAKER_00 43:12

Oh man, I thought we were over the the hard questions. I know. Um, so uh speaking on what you just shared, um we we've lost uh two babies very early on in the pregnancy, and we would really love to be able to grow our family. Um, and we were so lucky to be able to have our daughter, and that pregnancy was I mean, everything you could have asked for. It was very easy and no complications. And I was very naive to think that um it would be so that's just how it goes. Um, and so to have to go through two back to back really um hard moments of thinking that we're we're getting what we wanted, and then for it to be Uh ripped away. It was very, very hard. And so that is something that we are currently praying for and um just knowing that it's gonna happen when when it's the right time for us.

SPEAKER_04 44:10

So yeah, it's it's rough. Yeah, I think kind of touching on just like letting things happen when they're gonna happen. I think my biggest thing right now is patience. So trying to pray for the patience because especially with a toddler and with you know the hard times that have been happening, um just praying for patience and praying for understanding and praying to just see the truth and everything.

SPEAKER_00 44:47

Yes, definitely. Um so I I feel like we've kind of touched on this a little bit, but have you ever struggled with consistency and your in your faith?

SPEAKER_04 44:58

Oh yeah, absolutely. I feel like um those hard moments where I should be reaching out even more, I kind of shut down a little bit and don't pray and don't lean into God like I should. And so I think that that's also something that I need to work on is just, you know, in those moments, um leaning towards God and letting Him walk through the hard times with me.

SPEAKER_00 45:30

Um Yep, and I know I already I touched on that as well with the um struggles that I've had in the past. It it really is hard to remain consistent um when you're having almost like the questioning of God of like if you're even real. Um, so yeah, it's definitely been a a struggle with the consistency piece there, but it's just nice because having our friendship, I think that we are there for each other through these things, and it it seems like we always are able to bring it back to this being such a priority, and it's like we need to get back on our prayer journey and make sure that we're reading the Bible and we're we're really supportive of each other in that, and I think that's very helpful.

SPEAKER_04 46:13

Yeah, we push each other towards God, and I think that that is part of what makes our friendship thrive.

SPEAKER_00 46:21

Yep, I agree.

SPEAKER_04 46:22

Um, what's one thing that you wish people were honest about when it comes to faith?

SPEAKER_00 46:29

Oh gosh, the the honesty part, the I feel like honest about how hard life is. Yes, yep, and we've touched on that in past episodes when we've covered the books um that my lead pastor has put out because that's one of the reasons why I love my church so much, is our mission statement is literally that that it's imperfect people pursuing a perfect God. And they the every single one of the pastors who speak at my church are so authentic and real about the struggles that they're going through and the the things that come up and the doubts that they have and the just everything that is going on, and it is so refreshing when you come from a church background of the pastor's perfect, and if you do good enough and you pray hard enough and you do all the right things, that your life will also be perfect, and if it's not, it means that you're doing something wrong. So you need to be better. Um, and that is just such a refreshing thing to know that even if you're doing all the right things, life is still gonna be hard and there's still gonna be struggles, and that is what I wish there was more out there of of like just the honesty piece of it of like this is what I'm going through. These are the struggles that I'm having. And even though I am in church or even though I am a pastor or a leader in any sense of that word, that I still go through stuff, and that's just a refreshing thing to hear.

SPEAKER_04 47:58

Yeah, I absolutely agree. Uh, 100%. Just being honest, being honest that you know, everybody's gonna go through struggles. Life isn't perfect. Yep. But outside of faith, um let's have a real talk.

SPEAKER_00 48:18

Just a little bit of real talk here.

SPEAKER_04 48:20

What is something people assume about you that isn't true?

SPEAKER_03 48:25

Oh man.

SPEAKER_00 48:29

Oh gosh, I can't think of anything um what people assume about me that isn't true.

SPEAKER_04 48:36

I've had people assume, not everybody, but I've kind of touched up on it a little bit, but I've had people assume that because I am a working mom, that when little man is learning, that I'm not the one teaching him.

SPEAKER_00 48:50

Mmm, that is a very good one. It is very true.

SPEAKER_04 48:55

I know he goes to daycare and he does learn a lot from daycare, but my husband and I consistently work with him when we're with him and we're teaching him.

SPEAKER_00 49:06

Right. It's like you don't just go pick him up from daycare and then go put him in his room and don't interact with him at all. It's like, no, that that assumption is very backwards and honestly hurtful. It's like, I do you know how much of a struggle it is for me to know that someone else is taking care of my kid because I have to go to work. That is very hard to come to terms with. And I think people are very blessed and lucky to be able to stay at home. But I also think that there's struggles on that end too, where you are a stay-at-home parent. So the whole mom shaming stuff is honestly just disgusting because everybody's just trying to do the best that they can, and by people offering their unwanted opinions and assumptions out there uh are not, it's not needed. Yeah, it's already tough enough. Um yeah, give opinions when opinions are asked for. Exactly. And otherwise, keep it to yourself. Um so what is a season of life that really shaped you to into who you are now?

SPEAKER_04 50:13

Uh becoming a mom. Absolutely. Becoming a mom.

SPEAKER_00 50:18

What about you? Yep. Same. I I think I I did mention that earlier of how I feel like I am a much different person now, just in the like affectionate area. But honestly, in a lot of areas where I'm like, I think it's made me slow down and not need to have everything so perfect. And um, it's just really challenged my personality because I think anybody with kids knows that you have to kind of be able to go with the flow a little bit because it's never gonna be how you're expecting it to be. Like you try to take pictures or try to plan this picture perfect outing and they have a meltdown, or you I'm we we literally just shopping. Yes, and they throw a tantrum. It's like, no, I think that being a mom has it's like a complete 180, it just throws throws everything on its head.

SPEAKER_04 51:12

Yeah, absolutely. Um I know we've talked about like what you're kind of working on, like faith-wise and stuff like that, but what are you currently working on as a person, just in general?

SPEAKER_00 51:25

Yeah, I think it kind of ties into that because the how we were talking with the the challenge stuff, I think um with that, the other side of that is us trying to be healthier in general, like obviously have a better faith aspect of our life, but also being able to eat better and drink our water and work out and make sure that we're getting our steps in and all that stuff. Um, and I think that's pretty much the main focus, and I know it's the same for you as well, where we're just trying to be the best version of ourselves that we can be so that we're a good example for our kids, so that we can be around as long as possible and be healthy and happy. So yeah, that is I kind of answered it for the both of us, but I think we're we are both working on that level.

SPEAKER_04 52:15

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 52:16

Yes. Yep. So, with that being said, what motivates you when you feel like you're stuck or overwhelmed?

SPEAKER_04 52:26

Um, talking to you helps me. Um looking at cola, looking at my husband, just looking at um, you know, my family in general, just the beautiful life that I have, uh just, you know, living in the moment and treasuring who I have and what I have and just being thankful.

SPEAKER_00 52:49

Yep. I I it had to have been in something that I read, a book or a podcast I listened to, but it was pretty much having a gratitude list. And that is one thing that has helped me more times than I can count, where it is very easy to be going through something that feels hard, feels overwhelming, and you pretty much immediately forget about all of the amazing things that you have in your life, the good job that you have, the ability to pay your bills, the house, the cars that you have, your family, your health, your pets, your like, and the list goes on and on and on. It's like there's so many things that you have to be grateful for. And I think that is one thing that I fall back on a ton, where it's like, nope, I need to just take a step back and re-center and be like, no, this may suck right now, but look at all of these amazing, amazing things that I do have.

SPEAKER_04 53:42

Yeah, absolutely. Um what does balance look like in your life right now if it exists?

SPEAKER_01 53:51

Balance. I think we're in a season of life where balance is something that we are trying to achieve, but is a little non-existent.

SPEAKER_00 54:04

Um honestly, it's just taking it day by day of like trying to make good decisions, trying to put my best self out there. Um, and on the days that I struggle, just knowing that I will hopefully get another chance to try again tomorrow. Um so yeah, balance is it's the goal, but not the reality right now.

SPEAKER_04 54:26

Well, moving on to like uh we'll kind of do like um quick response questions, a chaos rap.

SPEAKER_00 54:36

Yes. Chaos. So after all the hard stuff, now let's get into something real fun.

SPEAKER_04 54:42

Um the first one, a completely irrational fear.

SPEAKER_00 54:48

Oh man, I have a good one for this because I think it is irrational. Um I I have like a recurring fear that my alarm is not gonna go off and I'm gonna completely miss work. Like I'm gonna wake up at noon and I'm gonna have all these missed calls from my boss, and I lost my job, and now I'm that is a recurring fear pretty much every single time I set my alarm. It's like, okay, double check, did I actually turn it on? Did I did I turn it on? Did I turn it on?

SPEAKER_04 55:17

Oh my gosh. Yep. I don't honestly, my my terrible fear. I don't know that it's completely irrational, but I have a huge fear of snakes. Huge fear of snakes. Like, it doesn't matter how big, they can be tiny, and I freak out terribly, terribly scared of snakes. I did not know that I learned something new about you today. Oh, it is it is so bad. It is so bad. My husband regularly tries to make fun of me about it, but I'm like, no, you don't understand. He's like, what if I put one in our bed and I was like, you won't have a wife anymore because I'll have a heart attack. Right. We will we I will be dead. Yes, yeah, no. Oh, your most delusional this could happen to me, thought.

SPEAKER_00 56:08

Oh, I actually have a good one for this too because me and my husband watched this show called The Challenge. I don't know if anyone else cares about this show, but it's like a reality TV challenge show. And my I am delulu in thinking that I could totally do that. I could do that, I would win this show, I would do so well in all these challenges. And if anyone knows anything about me, I am not athletic. I I am very competitive, but I am not athletic, I am not outgoing. I think of it logically, I would do terrible on that show. But when I'm watching, I'm like, I could do that. I could I could do it. And just a little caveat there, just to tie into the uh I could not do it. I literally fell down the stairs at work last week. So that just shows how not athletically inclined I am. Oh my god. So that is my uh delulu thought is that I could actually do a show like that and win. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 57:24

So what's yours?

SPEAKER_03 57:25

That is so funny to me.

SPEAKER_04 57:30

Because it's delusional. My my Dululu thought is that dragons are real Edward is gonna choose me to be a spider.

SPEAKER_01 57:59

If you didn't know that Tyra was obsessed with the Imperian series. If you don't know, now you know. Oh yeah, oh my gosh. Oh yeah, I'm gonna be a dragon rider. There you go. I mean, it is Dululu, but it it's a good thought.

SPEAKER_00 58:18

Um, so what is a hill, a hill that you will absolutely die on?

SPEAKER_03 58:24

Oh gosh.

SPEAKER_00 58:31

I'm gonna say it. This might be an unpopular opinion, but early mornings are 100 times better than late nights. Just gonna put that out there.

SPEAKER_04 58:42

That's actually a good point. I just I still can't find it in me to wake up.

SPEAKER_00 58:49

I would rather get up at 3 o'clock in the morning than have to stay up until 10 o'clock. I can I cannot.

SPEAKER_04 58:58

That's crazy.

SPEAKER_00 59:00

I I honestly think that's the hill I'll dion.

SPEAKER_04 59:04

I don't know about a hill all dion. I don't I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 59:08

I can't think of one. I was gonna say if you think of one, we can come back to that. But let's say what is your uh toxic trait.

SPEAKER_03 59:22

My toxic trait.

SPEAKER_04 59:27

Um when it comes to that time of the month, I am way too emotional. My poor husband. My poor son.

SPEAKER_01 59:37

Please let this be over.

SPEAKER_04 59:40

He's like, he's like I tell him and he's like, I know.

SPEAKER_00 59:48

Like, you don't even have to tell me. I am aware that this is happening. I can tell.

SPEAKER_04 59:52

Just the little snaps. Like if he like if I say something and he's like, what? Like he didn't hear me, I snap at him when I say, Oh my god, I'm a psycho.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:05

Yep, he's like, I'm gonna, I'm gonna keep my distance now.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:08

Oh my gosh, what is your toxic trait?

SPEAKER_00 1:00:12

I mean my husband actually have talked about this because again, you you'd be shocked to know that I really like to make lists. Um, my toxic trait is that especially for the weekends, I will make a to-do list where I say Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and I list all the things that we're gonna do, all the things that we're gonna get done. And it is way overly ambitious. But I am I am convinced that we will do everything. Everything's gonna get everything done. And then when it doesn't happen, I get disappointed in myself that I didn't accomplish everything on my frickin ridiculous to-do list. So that is my toxic trait is I clearly think I'm superwoman and I can do everything, and then I get mad at myself for not being superwoman.

SPEAKER_04 1:01:05

So oh my gosh. What is something small that instantly improves your mood?

SPEAKER_00 1:01:14

Oh man, the first thing that I go to, I think that pops in my head is that when you get home from work and you get to put on comfy clothes.

SPEAKER_04 1:01:23

Oh, that is so nice.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:25

I think that's that's a big one.

SPEAKER_04 1:01:27

That is so nice. I mine is kind of funny because the um it's a song. It it's literally like it's just Creek Will Rise by Connor Smith. And it's such it's it's just a country song. And it's like the reason why it's like it's just so upbeat and it's like oh I love that.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:54

Now I need to go listen to that. I don't know if I can't.

SPEAKER_03 1:01:56

Oh my gosh, I you know, the funniest thing because I don't know.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:04

I got frustrated with my husband, and we were in the car, and I don't know why I got frustrated with him, and then that song came on and he just starts laughing, and so I start laughing because like as soon as the song came out, I'm like singing it, getting all like like dancing and getting all excited, and so if I get like even just a little bit frustrated with him, and I'm not like saying anything to him, he'll turn on that song.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:40

That is amazing, and he's a genius.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:42

He's like, I know how I know how to fix this, and then seriously, I don't know what it is, it's just such an up piece song. I'm like, Quick row wise.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:54

I need to go listen to it.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:56

Oh, you have to. It is so funny.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:00

That is awesome. Well, we wanted to close on just a couple of things just about the podcast specifically. Um, because I feel like we've touched on every area of us faith, mom stuff, book stuff, all of the things that that we love. Um, so what do you hope people feel when they listen to our podcast?

SPEAKER_04 1:03:24

Um, I just want people to feel comfortable, um, people to feel positive. Um I want it to be something where, you know, people just enjoy it. They just come and listen and they're just like they they're laughing with along with us, and um, you know, they're listening to like our opinions about things and they're thinking about their own opinions and like maybe they agree with us, maybe they don't agree with us, but it's just like they just feel it just feels fun for them. It's just something that they enjoy.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:02

I agree. I think the the space that we're hoping to create is the almost like you're just having a conversation with your friends. That's what it would just be nice to know that people feel like they have someplace to go for 20 minutes to an hour of just hanging out with their friends, because that's what we're hoping is that this it just feels like a literally like a safe haven. That's what we were shooting for, is that just some place to kind of escape. And um, especially for moms, that's kind of our goal is that it's just a place where you feel seen and you feel valued and a little bit of an escape. Um, and to know that people are are on this journey with you.

SPEAKER_04 1:04:46

Yes, absolutely. Um, so why did we really want to start this podcast?

SPEAKER_00 1:04:56

I think it ties into that. Like the we love talking about this stuff so much. So it's like I feel like there's gotta be people out there that would also enjoy this, and um yeah, it is like a little bit of an outlet for us to be able to get together like you and I get together. It makes it to where we have time to spend together, yes, um, and just talk about the things that we love.

SPEAKER_04 1:05:18

Yeah, I agree because we already uh obsessively talked about books in general. Everything involving books, we're like, oh my gosh, I just read this book, oh my gosh, I just read this book, and then you know, I talk you into reading this book, you talk me into reading this book, and then yeah, I think we just um it was TNT has been a space for us to just enjoy talking about our hobby to have fun, to laugh and to cry and all the things. Yes, absolutely. But that is everything that we have. For who we are and why we started this and just getting to know us a little bit. Um so that's it for our mini episode of TNT Bookhaven.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:11

Quote unquote mini. If you stuck around this long, thank you. I know this is gonna be a long time.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:19

But it's because we had so much fun answering all these questions. So hopefully you guys enjoyed it as well.

SPEAKER_04 1:06:24

But make sure you're following the show so you can never miss our bookish moments or a bookish moment that you know anything bookish related.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:35

Yes. So also come chat with us over on social media. We're on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and we have our Fable Book Club. We're on all of that as TNT Bookhaven. So come find us and um we would love to chat with you. But we will see you in the next one. Happy reading.

SPEAKER_03 1:06:53

Bye. Bye. I have to go to the bathroom.